Page 33 - October 2018 FOP Magazine

Napolitano brought shirts to students at Oriole Park School when he came to speak. Many of them are children of first responders, and they insisted on taking a photo with him wearing their shirts.
derman most equipped to drop the gloves and go, verbally or otherwise.
Behind council doors, Napolitano has been mixing it up on behalf of police officers since he took office. Much of this has come when the council has been asked to authorize multi- million-dollar settlements for lawsuits that citizens have brought contending police officers’ unlawful use of force.
Napolitano has implored his fellow alderwomen and alder- men to do some research into the validity of these claims. He has tried to lead by example, using detective skills developed on the job to dig for both sides of the story.
“We were meeting about a settlement with eight or nine al- dermen, and I asked, ‘Was the officer properly following the use-of-force paradigm?’ He looked at me like ‘What the hell is that?’” Napolitano details. “How are you ruling on a decision when you don’t know what the use-of-force paradigm is? How can you agree with a $6.7 million–settlement if you’re not do- ing your research? If you haven’t walked a mile in their shoes, you shouldn’t even vote. Do a two-week ride-along in the heat of summer and then tell me what you think about being the po- lice.”
He knows that if even half of the council members walked the walk, they wouldn’t spend so much time talking about the need for civilian oversight of the Department. From day one, Napol- itano has repeatedly reminded them that Chicago Police Offi- cers follow general orders and standard operating procedures that create multiple layers of oversight within the Department.
Such is the perspective that needs to stay in the City Council. His opponent for the February election has been running since day one following the last election, believing that the 723 votes Napolitano won by can easily be overcome..
But not if this neighborhood of first responders for first re- sponders has anything to say about it. Thousands of them came out this past summer for the third annual Edison Park Salute to Uniforms that the 41st ward office worked with the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce to create. And if they come out to the polls in February as they should for Napolitano, police officers can cast a vote to more positively affect their quality of life and quality of job than any other avenues currently available.
After being elected, Napolitano (center) helped create a “Salute to Uni- forms” event in Edison Park that this past summer drew thousands of resi- dents for a day to show appreciation to first responders.
“We need to stick together and confide in each other because there really is strength in numbers, and we can produce the voice that is needed,” Napolitano encourages. “Wear your job on your sleeve. Wear your job on your face. And wear your job in the community because you are appreciated. And I promise you that every single day of the week, I will stand up for you.” d
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